Hear, see etc + object + infinitive without toMost verbs of perception e.g.. hear, see, watch, notice are followed by object + infinitive without to.. Most of these verbs can also be fol
Trang 1Hear, see etc + object + infinitive without to
Most verbs of perception (e.g hear, see, watch, notice) are followed by object + infinitive (without to).
I heard him cry (NOT I heard him to cry.)
I watched them play (NOT I watched them to play.)
I saw her cross the road (NOT I saw her to cross the road.)
Most of these verbs can also be followed by –ing forms Note that there is usually a difference of meaning We
use infinitive forms after these verbs to say that we hear or see the whole of an action or event On the other
hand, -ing forms suggest that we see or hear an action in progress.
Compare:
I once heard him give a talk on international politics (I heard the whole talk.)
As I walked past his cabin, I heard him talking with his secretary (I didn’t hear the whole talk.)
An –ing form is not usually used to refer to a momentary action or event.
I saw the bomb explode (NOT I saw the bomb exploding The action mentioned here (explosion) doesn’t last for more than a few moments.)
Sometimes an –ing form can suggest repetition.
I saw the children throwing stones at the dogs (= The children kept throwing stones.)
After can see and can hear, only the –ing form can be used.
I could see him climbing up the tree (NOT I could see him climb up the tree.)
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